Partnership for a New American Economy

Miami Today
March 15, 2012

With Brazil and Greater Miami now firmly established as economic bedfellows, the exchange of people and goods between the two continues to make progress, according to new reports.

Perhaps the biggest barrier to bringing more Brazilian tourists to South Florida has been lowered with the reduction of visa wait times for Brazilians wanting to visit the US. Yet the larger question lingers: will federal legislation be approved to give Brazilians visa waiver status?

"All Miami business groups want this," said William Talbert III, CEO and president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, which has been pushing for the legislation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Talbert and other tourism officials have commended the US State Department for responding to their concerns by reducing wait times for visa interviews, which now average two weeks or less in several Brazilian cities.

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